A Special Place in Tilton

 

         Buffalo Park Conservation Area Gets a Face-Lift

Thanks to an Eagle Scout project proposed by John Swain, Buffalo Park is getting a new look.
Swain's project involves building a kiosk for trail maps and information, clearing overgrown trails,
removing dead limbs, and attaching name plates for the different trails. He and his crew of friends,
family, and volunteers spent the weekend of August 19 and 20 working make Buffalo Park even more special.

Special thanks to all who helped.

    

 

A trail map and other rules can be found:
Trail map for Buffalo Park

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 How To Cope with the Drought 

New Hampshire has seen one of its driest summers in a long time. Even when there has been a bit
of rain, the water either absorbs too quickly or runs off. The results include smaller berries, fruits that
drop before maturity, tomato blossom rot, brown leaves, and lots of insect pests.

If you are watering your garden, do so in the early morning or early evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Use  mulch (bark, leaves, newspapers) to shield the soil from the sun and add nutrients as the mulch decays.

Look into a drip hose watering system which uses less water and is more concentrated.

Plant drought-resistant vegetables and shorter season varieties. Layout your garden so that plants with similar
water requirements are grouped together. Focus on vegetables that produce abundant crops like tomatoes and squash.

Consider buying a rain barrel that will collect water from a garage or shed roof. Cooled cooking water can be used
instead of being poured down the drain. After you clean the fishtank, the old water will add nutrients to the soil.

Finally, be sure to control weeds in your garden since they are also competing for water.

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  Simple Tips for Keeping Fruits and Veggies Fresh Longer

Many fruits  produce ethylene which is gas that encourages ripening. Apples, ripe bananas, melons,
peaches, avocado, and tomatoes are some of the ethylene producers. It is a good idea to keep them away from
fruits and vegetables that are sensitive to ethylene so they will not decompose faster.

Don't refrigerate tomatoes, onions, potatoes, bananas, avocado and melons in the refrigerator where
they may hasten ripening in other fruits and veggies such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots, chard, and peppers.

Putting an apple in a bag of potatoes will keep the potatoes from sprouting.

Putting a green tomato in a paper bag with hasten its ripening thanks to ethylene.

 

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